Soldiers assigned to 325th BSB, 3rd BCT, 25th ID, watch television during their time off in the renovated “Mustang Stables,” their BOSS Game Room. (Below), Lt. Col. Patrick A. Disney, their commander, cuts a ribbon to officially mark the opening of the Game Room, Oct. 16.

Story and photos bySgt. Brian C. Erickson3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs25th Infantry Division
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — Sounds of conversation and laughter filled the air in the 325th Brigade Support Battalion BOSS (Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers) Game Room, better known as the “Mustang Stables,” after a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially complete the game room in E Quad, here, recently.

“Looking around and seeing the smiles on the Soldiers’ faces is everything I was hoping for when this whole thing started,” said Spc. Jesse Ballow, BOSS president, for 325th BSB, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.

When Ballow took the position of BOSS president, he wondered what he could do to leave his mark on the battalion, and as he was on his way to his first command and staff meeting, he found it.

“As I was walking to my first meeting as president, I walked by this empty room labeled Game Room. I knew then I had to make a change,” Ballow said.

Soldiers assigned to 325th BSB, 3rd BCT, 25th ID, can enjoy games of pool in Mustang Stables, the BOSS Game Room.

Reinvent
With the green light from the commander, Ballow set a goal of 15 days to completely renovate the room.

“I wanted to get the room done quickly instead of stretching it out into the upcoming months and possibly losing the flame for this,” he said.

The 15-day time line not only was a personal challenge for himself, but it was more because he wanted to get the room ready immediately for the Soldiers to use.

With the help of other BOSS representatives, the Soldiers volunteered their time off to making this room a reality, even working over a four-day weekend to complete the room inside the set time.

When it was all said and done, the battalion commander had nothing but good things to say about what the Soldiers had accomplished.

Soldiers assigned to 325th BSB, 3rd BCT, 25th ID, take advantage of the different activities the unit’s new game room, known as the Mustang Stables, offers the Soldiers during their personal time.

“This room screams pride and ownership,” Disney said. “It shows how creative our Soldiers are and how willingly they are to make their footprint better for themselves and future generations.”

In recognition for his efforts with making the Game Room a reality, the commander awarded him a Certificate of Achievement and a Commander’s Coin for excellence.

“If you look around, it’s exactly what I wanted,” Ballow said. “Just seeing the smiles on the Soldiers’ faces enjoying the Game Room is better than any award I could receive.”